Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in New Brunswick, NJ (2026)
New Brunswick, New Jersey has a population of about 55,744. The city’s median household income is $60,248 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 24.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of New Brunswick. In the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $203,450 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to New Brunswick
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from New Brunswick city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick | New Brunswick, NJ | 0.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Middlesex College | Edison, NJ | 4.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Strayer University-New Jersey | Piscataway, NJ | 4.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ | Cranford, NJ | 14.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Raritan Valley Community College | Branchburg, NJ | 15.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all New Jersey schools on the New Jersey criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near New Brunswick
New Brunswick is part of the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area (BLS area code 35620). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to New Jersey statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $203,450 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $180,684 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $196,190 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $174,236 |
| Police Supervisor | $137,520 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $122,131 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $106,540 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $94,618 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $105,790 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $93,952 |
| Correctional Officer | $92,190 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $81,874 |
| Probation Officer | $78,920 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $70,089 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $78,170 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $69,423 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $73,470 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $65,249 |
| Information Security Analyst | $138,360 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $122,877 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
New Brunswick at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,744 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $60,248 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 24.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 112.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other New Brunswick-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- South Plainfield, NJ – 6.3 mi away (24,221 pop)
- Sayreville, NJ – 6.5 mi away (44,905 pop)
- Plainfield, NJ – 9.0 mi away (50,636 pop)
- North Plainfield, NJ – 9.3 mi away (22,073 pop)
- Perth Amboy, NJ – 9.4 mi away (52,499 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near New Brunswick, NJ?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of New Brunswick. The closest is Rutgers University-New Brunswick in New Brunswick, NJ (0.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Raritan Valley Community College (15.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near New Brunswick?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near New Brunswick are: Attorney ($203,450), Judge or Magistrate ($196,190), Information Security Analyst ($138,360). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with New Jersey statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in South Plainfield instead of New Brunswick?
South Plainfield, NJ is 6.3 miles from New Brunswick and has its own set of local criminal justice programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is New Brunswick an affordable place to study criminal justice?
New Brunswick’s median household income of $60,248 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in New Brunswick while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and New Jersey public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
- Online Criminal Justice Programs in New Jersey
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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